Ghost of Yotei, the long-anticipated successor to Sucker Punch Production’s hit open-world action-adventure Ghost of Tsushima, finally released on October 2. The game takes place in 1603 Hokkaido, and it has already gained much praise from Japanese gamers for its authentic depiction of the period and its culture. However, while Sucker Punch Production pretty much nailed their portrayal of the historical land of Ezo (as Hokkaido used to be known as), a certain feature iconic to the series ended up sparking concerns among some Hokkaido locals playing the game.
“Petting the fox” is one of the many mechanics Yotei inherited from the original Ghost of Tsushima, and most fans seem to be quite excited about it, given that the foxes of Hokkaido are absolutely adorable in-game. But among Hokkaido residents, it is common sense to stay away from foxes, as contact with them can be potentially dangerous, if not lethal.
To give some context – the Ezo red fox is known for its distinct reddish, fluffy fur, and can be seen throughout all Hokkaido. And while it may look like a cute and friendly animal, visitors of Hokkaido are advised to keep a safe distance and, by all means, not touch it. This is because the Ezo red fox carries a parasite – a tapeworm known as the Echinococcus – that can infect humans and cause echinococcosis, which, if not treated on time, can even lead to death.
This topic has been gaining traction on the Japanese side of X, with some users joking about it, and others genuinely concerned about the game sending false signals and possibly leading people unfamiliar with the region into thinking that it’s fine to pet Hokkaido’s foxes.
But does this make Ghost of Yotei’s “pet the fox” mechanic inaccurate to the real world?Well, not exactly. In response to the ongoing discussion, a Japanese biologist explained that Ghost of Yotei’s fox petting is pretty accurate of the times it’s trying to depict – no matter how many furry friends she encounters, Atsu wouldn’t be at risk of getting echinococcosis because the disease didn’t exist in 1600s Hokkaido.
“This is good representation that shows how proper historical research should be done.
The Echinococcus is said to have been artificially introduced to Hokkaido via foxes brought from the Kurile Islands in the 1920s.
The first ever [echinococcosis] victim was confirmed in 1936, but it was only in the 1980s when the disease was confirmed in all of Hokkaido, so it’s a relatively recent development.
As the story of the game takes place in 1603, the foxes in Hokkaido wouldn’t be carrying the echinococcus.”
Apparently, in the past few decades, Japan has been making efforts to treat the infected foxes, but as the parasite is still present among the fox population, it is best to keep a safe distance if you ever encounter one on your trip to Hokkaido. But if you really feel like petting the fluffy fur of an Ezo red fox – consider doing it within the safety of the in-game universe of Ghost of Yotei.
Ghost of Yotei is available exclusively for PlayStation 5.
Related articles:
Tourists get stranded on Ghost of Yotei’s titular mountain in Japan, prompting criticism from locals
